“Governments need to have both shepherds and butchers.”
Voltaire
Voltaire was a French writer, philosopher. A French Enlightenment writer and philosopher known for advocating freedom of speech, reason, and tolerance. Explore voltaire quotes, freedom quotes, philosophy quotes for profound insights and inspiration. Their teachings on wisdom, self-awareness and the search for meaning continue to guide people seeking clarity and inner strength.
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This quote is attributed to Voltaire. Voltaire was a French writer, philosopher. A French Enlightenment writer and philosopher known for advocating freedom of speech, reason, and tolerance. Explore voltaire quotes, freedom…
A stark expression of realpolitik, this quote acknowledges the dual nature of statecraft. A successful government must be able to nurture and protect its citizens (the shepherd) while also possessing the ruthless capacity to eliminate threats and enforce order (the butcher). It is a pragmatic view of political power.
The wording and attribution are documented at listverse.com. Use the original source linked on this page to verify the exact phrasing and context.
